Cleaning tool



March 28 1987 R. M. ELLIS 3,310,826

CLEANING TOOL Filed July 31, 1964 INVENTOR. 25X M fizz/s BY z/i/ A7'7'0Z/VEYS.

This invention relates to a cleaning tool and relates more particularly to a combination cleaning tool for use by a golfer or the like having means adapted for cleaning various portions of the golfers shoes and cleats and other items of the golfers equipment.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a simple, compact tool which may be easily carried by a golfer or the like and which facilitates maintaining his shoes and equipment, particularly the cleats on his shoes free from dirt or mud to render them most efiicient in use.

Another object of this invention is the provision of such a tool which may be readily adapted with a snap fastener or the like for carrying the same on a golf bag or on the golfers belt.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a golfers cleaning tool having a bifurcated end portion for cleaning in and around cleats on the golfers shoes, and an opposite pointed end portion for cleaning the junction between the sole and upper of the golfers shoe, and a pair of elongated parallel scraping edges for cleaning other portions of the golfers shoes and his other equipment such as his golf cart and the like.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a device of the type described which is sturdy and reliable and efiicient in operation and relatively simple to manufacture and maintain.

Other and further objects reside in the combination of elements, arrangement of parts and features of construction.

Still other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out, as the description of the invention proceeds and as shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a golfers cleaning tool in accordance with the instant inventive concept;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the pattern used in making the tool of the instant invention;

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view taken substantially on line 44 of FIGURE 2.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing, a golfers cleaning tool in accordance with the instant inventive concept is designated generally by the reference number and comprises basically an elongated blade member 12 having a pair of opposed end portions 14-, 16 and an intermediate connecting portion 18. One of the end portions 14 is bent in one direction with respect to the intermediate connecting portion 18 as seen particularly in FIGURE 2 and defines a bifurcated golf shoe cleat cleaning means. The other end portion 16 is bent in an opposite direction with respect to the intermediate connecting portion 18 and defines an arcuate pointed means 22 for cleaning the junction between the sole and upper of the golfers shoe. The intermediate connecting portion 18 includes a pair of oppositely disposed reverted wing members 24 which are bent to provide elongated parallel scraping edges 26 as will be best seen in FIGURES l and 4. The wing members 24 are spaced from the end portion 14 by an elongated planar member 28 defining the remainder of atent O the connecting portion 18. An opening 30 is defined in the end portion 16 for receiving a snap or clip device (not shown) which facilitates fastening the tool 10 to a golf bag, the belt of the golfer or other convenient carrying means.

The use and operation of the tool of the instant invention will now be apparent. The tool may be grasped using either the reverted wing members 24 or the elongated planar member 28 as a handle portion and the cleats of the golfers shoes may be readily freed of dirt or the like by sliding the bifurcated cleat cleaning means 20 over and around the base of the same. The portion between the cleats on the sole of the shoe may be cleaned by the ears of the bifurcated portion 20 or by the arcuate pointed means 22, this latter element also serving to readily clean the junction between the upper and the sole or heel of the shoe. It will be clear that this pointed element could also be used for scraping dirt or mud from any other relatively inaccessible portion of the golfers equipment such as the wheels of his golf cart or the like. Similarly, the elongated scraping edges 26 may be utilized when the planar member 28 is grasped as a handle to remove mud rom various portions of the golfers shoes and equipment.

While the above description has been particularly directed toward the use of the tool for cleaning a golfers shoes and equipment, it will be readily apparent that this tool may be utilized by individuals in obvious manners for maintaining shoes and articles of sports equipment in a clean condition.

It will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved cleaning tool which satisfies all of the objectives of the instant invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of the instant inventive concept, and since many modifications may be made of the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

A golfers cleaning tool comprising an elongated blade member including a substantially flat central portion, a first end portion extending at an obtuse angle out of the plane of said central portion and terminating in a bifurcated shoe cleat cleaning extremity characterized by a substantially V-shaped opening between two relatively blunt points, a second end portion extending arcuately from the plate of said central portion in a direction opposite to said first end portion and terminating in a relatively blunt point adapted for cleaning the junction between the sole and upper of a golfers shoe, said second end portion having an opening therein adapted to receive a suspension device, and a pair of oppositely disposed reverted wing members each comprising a side portion eX tending in substantially perpendicular relation to an edge of said central portion, and an inwardly extending portion overlying said central portion and substantially parallel thereto, each inwardly extending portion terminating in a straight edge, said straight edges terminating in spaced opposed relation to each other to provide scraper blades adapted for the removal of mud from the golfers shoes, said reverted wing portion extending from a longitudinal point on said central portion adjacent said second end portion in a direction opposite to the direction of exten- 3 sion of said second portion, and terminating at a longi- 1,251,321 tudinal point on said central portion spaced from said 2,857,608 first end portion to provide auxiliary oppositely disposed 2,957,192 scraping edges on the sides of said central body portion. 3,050,760 3) 3,155,997

References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,235,038 7/1917 Klinka 15-105 Apted 15-237 Schwartz 15-236 X Faughnder 15236 Darnell 15237 X Gallagher 15236 X CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

L. G. MACHLIN, Assistant Examiner. 

